# Simon Ford — The Child of the Cavern character guide

> Simon Ford in The Child of the Cavern by Jules Verne.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Simon, old Simon, VI Simon Ford, Old Simon, Old Simon Ford

**First appearance:** 0003-iv-the-ford-family

## Snapshot

An old overman who refused to leave the exhausted Dochart pit, Simon Ford bet his last years on a hidden seam and was proved right.

## Who they are

Simon lives in the old cottage with Madge, stubbornly certain that a great coal field lies beyond the failed dyke. His discovery of firedamp draws James Starr back, and his dream of building Coal Town beneath the earth gives the story its founding vision. He dotes on Nell, longs to see Harry married, and never suspects how close the menace he cannot see has crept to his own windows.

## In the story

### [I: Contradictory Letters](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_child_of_the_cavern_se/chapters/i-contradictory-letters)

The old foreman of the Dochart pit, who remained faithful to the mine after its closure. He sends a secret letter to Starr requesting a meeting.

### [On the Road](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_child_of_the_cavern_se/chapters/ii-on-the-road)

Old overman who lives in the Dochart pit; his invitation prompts Starr's journey.

### [IV: The Ford Family](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_child_of_the_cavern_se/chapters/iv-the-ford-family)

The old overman, proud and hopeful, welcomes Starr and insists on revealing his secret after dinner at the very spot.

### [V: Some Strange Phenomena](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_child_of_the_cavern_se/chapters/v-some-strange-phenomena)

Remains skeptical of supernatural explanations, continuing his work in the mine with Harry despite strange occurrences.

### [Simon Ford's Experiment](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_child_of_the_cavern_se/chapters/vi-simon-ford-s-experiment)

The old overman leads the expedition, passionately recounting his firedamp experiments and expressing deep emotional attachment to the mine.

### [VII: New Aberfoyle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_child_of_the_cavern_se/chapters/vii-new-aberfoyle)

The old overman whose experiment succeeded; he is overjoyed and eager to resume work.

### [VIII: Exploring](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_child_of_the_cavern_se/chapters/viii-exploring)

Old overman, enthusiastic about the mine's potential, plans to build a new cottage in the cavern.

### [IX: The Fire-Maidens](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_child_of_the_cavern_se/chapters/ix-the-fire-maidens)

His cottage is found empty; he and his family have been absent since December 6.

### [X: Coal Town](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_child_of_the_cavern_se/chapters/x-coal-town)

Built a new cottage on the shores of Loch Malcolm; proud of Coal Town and rarely leaves the mine.

### [XII: Nell Adopted](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_child_of_the_cavern_se/chapters/xii-nell-adopted)

Present during Nell's recovery; listens to the account of her rescue.

### [XIII: On the Revolving Ladder](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_child_of_the_cavern_se/chapters/xiii-on-the-revolving-ladder)

Becomes increasingly attached to Nell; plans a grand wedding celebration for Harry and Nell.

### [XIV: A Sunrise](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_child_of_the_cavern_se/chapters/xiv-a-sunrise)

Takes leave of the travelers but does not join the excursion, preferring to stay in the cottage.

### [A Final Threat](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_child_of_the_cavern_se/chapters/xvi-a-final-threat)

Old Simon Ford is resting with Madge at their cottage when the flood hits; he quickly assesses the danger and calms the fleeing miners, demonstrating his experience and leadership.

### [The “Monk”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_child_of_the_cavern_se/chapters/xvii-the-monk)

Identifies Silfax as the old 'monk' of the Dochart pit and explains his history and madness.

### [XVIII: Nell’s Wedding](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_child_of_the_cavern_se/chapters/xviii-nell-s-wedding)

The old overman, uneasy about Silfax's threats, and present at the wedding.

### [The Legend of Old Silfax](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_child_of_the_cavern_se/chapters/xix-the-legend-of-old-silfax)

Celebrates the wedding and jokes about a golden wedding with Madge.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_child_of_the_cavern_se/characters/simon_ford
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_child_of_the_cavern_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_child_of_the_cavern_se/characters